Freedom on a T-shirt

15 11 2021

Leggings, carrots and fungus gnats. But also curveballs, balaclavas and windbreakers. That's how socialist Czechoslovakia dressed in the late 1980s. The anniversary of 17 November is behind us. Just roll up and wear your freedom on your shirt.

November 17, 1989: The Velvet Revolution
17 November 2019: Telegraph Gallery opens

Freedom of expression is one of the fundamental pillars of contemporary society. Art not excluded. The line between freedom of artistic expression and vandalism is thin. Two years ago, the Telegraph Gallery tested it thoroughly. On the autumn morning of 17 November, a spray-painted sign on the façade of the Telegraph building read "How much do they pay you..." The sentence is unfinished, and the spray paint remains in place. Author unknown, apparently fled with his hands bare. Thus the first graffiti on the Telegraph's facade. Art or property damage? We could have called the police, we could have been angry, we could have used the security camera footage and pulled out the batons. We didn't. What and who was he trying to say?

On the same evening, on the occasion of the opening of the gallery, FAVU students organized a demonstration. Students. November 17th.

The author of the graffiti remained undetected, although he was given the opportunity to complete the work with impunity (see photo gallery). But the idea remained. Since then, several street art artists have carried out work on the Telegraph building. But already legally and with our support. However, that first graffiti is just one. We remember it fondly. And that's why now, as a special drop, you can get it on our shop. The limited edition t-shirts with How Much They Pay you are on sale now. And there will never be another one like it. Hurry. When - if not now?

0% velvet
100% cotton

Student price
Revolutionary cut
Short sleeves = bare arms

text + author photo How much are you paid: Jonáš Bláha (tlgrph gallery)